"Once upon a time, Triple Crown contenders from various regions would head to European training camps to clash with those prodigies."
A look of something complicated, hard to put into words, drifted into Niiyama's eyes, as if she'd recalled something.
"Only, because of a certain Uma Musume, the European Racing Association is rather wary of Triple Crown contenders these days."
"Even someone like Mr. C.B.—they absolutely wouldn't bring her to Europe."
"Now that the Triple Crown system is fully established, the status of Triple Crown contenders has gradually declined. They've gone from being indispensable elements in building the system to becoming mascots meant to soothe regional sentiments."
The corner of Niiyama's mouth suddenly curled into a faint, scornful smile.
"But in my opinion, they're just scared."
"Scared that within the system they built, something might emerge that could defy them."
"That's why they've added another shackle to the Triple Crown contenders."
Here, Niiyama looked at Dream Weaver with a rather appreciative gaze.
"And for an Uma Musume like you, who dares to openly defy their will—they're even more afraid. That's why they're sparing no effort trying to snuff out this spark of yours."
"But as I said before, you all were still too impulsive."
"Even if the upper echelons of the European Racing Association are just a bunch of cowards, drowning in the glory of the past and quick to throw their weight around at the slightest risk of their dreams shattering, they have still amassed an immense amount of power."
"A Triple Crown-level Uma Musume… is still too much for you all to handle right now."
Dream Weaver furrowed her brow. With things laid out like this, the identity of the Uma Musume before her seemed more and more extraordinary.
Not only could she know the European Racing Association's latest assessment of her, but she could also precisely pinpoint the reasons why European Uma Musume Racing led the world, and even knew about the past status of Triple Crown contenders.
In this script world, this central Tracen Academy, Dream Weaver could only think of one person who might possess such knowledge.
She spoke somewhat hesitantly.
"You couldn't be…"
Seeing this, Niiyama smiled and nodded at Dream Weaver. She hadn't expected Dream Weaver to only recognize her now, but it was fine—she had figured it out in the end.
"That's right, I am…"
"The Chairman of Central Tracen Academy?"
Truth be told, Dream Weaver had never actually seen the Chairman of Central Tracen Academy before.
Neither in other script worlds nor in the real world, she had never laid eyes on this supposedly famous figure.
She'd heard some say the Chairman was actually a little girl, but how could that be?
The esteemed Chairman of Central Tracen Academy couldn't possibly be a little girl.
Dream Weaver had dismissed all those rumors as jokes.
It wasn't until she met Niiyama today that she finally found someone who matched her image of the Central Tracen Chairman.
Being a Uma Musume meant she had firsthand racing experience. Her observational skills rivaling a trainer's were probably abilities she honed after retirement to help other Uma Musume.
As for those secret stories known only to a few—as the Chairman of Central Tracen, wasn't it perfectly normal for her to know them?
Shinzan twitched the corner of her mouth, wondering what was up with this Uma Musume. Given her own fame at Central Tracen, she should have been recognized at first sight.
First being mistaken for a trainer was one thing, but now she was even being mistaken for the Chairman of Central Tracen.
Shinzan pressed a hand to her forehead and said, a bit helplessly, "Sure, let's go with that."
"Since winning the Japanese Derby is likely out of reach now, perhaps you should let it go. Build up your strength and wait for a better opportunity. The second-leg classics are held every year, anyway—with your timeline, there's no need to worry."
"I'll also help mediate with the European racing world for you. At the very least, to keep those cowards from having another panic attack."
"Once you've fully grown, in order to maintain their Triple Crown system, any demand you make will be up for discussion."
Shinzan lowered her hand from her forehead, patted Dream Weaver's shoulder, and spoke earnestly.
"As long as you're strong enough, you can gradually take back the power that should be ours from their hands."
"What you need to do now… is bide your time!"
"Just wait until the moment is ripe. This system will be overthrown one day."
Shinzan spoke sincerely. This was her genuine belief. Leaving the track and striving to increase her influence in every field possible was also for this goal.
As long as she could make her own weight significant enough that the bigwigs of the European Racing Association couldn't ignore it, couldn't help but make concessions, then she could secure more power.
She could already see the future ahead: Dream Weaver, Mr. C.B., Symboli Rudolf—three Uma Musume who would take her place and fight for the future of Japanese Uma Musume.
Until that day came, all Shinzan could do was shelter them under her wing, dismiss their threat as the recklessness of youth.
Only then might she live to see the day the shackles are broken.
For that, Dream Weaver had to bide her time now. Because a genius who hasn't grown is nothing.
Only by truly becoming a force that even the European racing world cannot shake could there be a real chance to overthrow their absolute authority.
Just as Shinzan, her tone full of earnest intent, was trying to make this impulsive genius understand, she saw Dream Weaver suddenly shake her head.
"I understand what you mean."
"But I refuse."
"Why?!"
Shinzan raised her voice—a rare occurrence. At her current level, she hadn't been the kind of Uma Musume who needed to raise her voice to be heard for a long time.
Now, no matter how softly she spoke, a crowd would press forward, eager to listen.
So, Shinzan's speaking voice had gradually grown lower and softer.
Until she heard Dream Weaver's answer. Then, she finally couldn't suppress the bewilderment in her heart and instinctively raised her voice to ask.
"It's too far away, that future you speak of."
For Dream Weaver, the most important task was to complete the Triple Crown path as soon as possible. She wouldn't allow herself to delay for too long.
"So what?! You've just debuted less than a year ago, right? You have a long career ahead of you. Don't ruin it over a moment of impulse!"
"You should have already tasted the consequences of impulsiveness, haven't you? Multiple Triple Crown Uma Musume are the clearest proof!"
"Do you really think you can win the Japanese Derby, defeat multiple Triple Crown Uma Musume?!"
"What if I can?"
Dream Weaver lifted her head, met her eyes directly, and asked back, her tone calm.
--+--
T/N: I have a Patreon! Webnovel will get 2 Chapters Every Day, and advanced chapters will be uploaded on Patreon.
It may not seem worth it now, but maybe in the future. Who knows!
[email protected]/AspenTL
If you guys wanna check it out.